Frequently Asked Questions
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that form a hammock-like structure at the base of your pelvis. These muscles support your pelvic organs—including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum—and play a vital role in core stability, bowel and bladder control, sexual function, posture, and even breathing.
A healthy pelvic floor works in coordination with your abdominal, back, and diaphragm muscles. It should be able to contract, relax, and lengthen—just like any other muscle group. When the pelvic floor is too tight, too weak, or not functioning properly, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms such as pain, pressure, incontinence, or dysfunction in surrounding areas like the hips and low back.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs—including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. These muscles play a crucial role in core stability, bowel and bladder function, sexual health, and even breathing. When the pelvic floor is too tight, too weak, or not coordinating well, it can lead to symptoms like pain, incontinence, pressure, or dysfunction in the hips, back, or pelvis.
A pelvic floor physical therapist is trained to assess and treat these issues with a whole-body, individualized approach. This may include hands-on techniques, movement retraining, breathing work, education, and exercise. At Poised Pelvic Society, we tailor each session to your unique history and goals—so you can move, function, and feel your best.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can benefit people of all ages and genders who are experiencing issues related to the pelvic region. It’s not just for postpartum care—many conditions can be linked to pelvic floor dysfunction. This includes:
Leaking urine or stool (incontinence)
Pelvic pain or pressure
Pain with intercourse, tampon use, or pelvic exams
Constipation or difficulty with bowel movements
Pregnancy-related pain and postpartum recovery
Birth preparation (education, pelvic mobility, pushing strategies, perineal prep)
Diastasis recti (abdominal separation)
Hip, low back, or tailbone pain that hasn’t improved with traditional PT
Difficulty returning to exercise or activity without symptoms
Pelvic organ prolapse or heaviness
Pelvic floor PT is also highly beneficial after surgeries such as:
Hysterectomy
Prostatectomy
Cesarean section (C-section)
Endometriosis ablations or excisions
Hip replacements or labral repairs
Lumbar spine surgeries
Whether you're preparing for birth, healing after surgery, managing chronic pain, or seeking answers to symptoms others have dismissed—pelvic floor PT offers a personalized, evidence-based path to recovery, resilience, and long-term wellness.
At Poised Pelvic Society, your first visit is a comprehensive 90-minute session designed to focus entirely on you—your unique history, your symptoms, and your goals. We take our time to truly listen and understand what you're experiencing. Building rapport and trust is just as important as any hands-on treatment we provide, and we want you to feel safe, heard, and supported from the start.
We'll begin with an in-depth conversation to explore your story—what brought you in, what you've tried, and how your symptoms are affecting your daily life. From there, we’ll move into a whole-body assessment tailored to your needs. This may include looking at posture, breath patterns, core engagement, hip and spine mobility, and pelvic floor function. If an internal exam is appropriate, we’ll explain every step and only proceed with your full consent.
We also use this first session to begin treatment—whether that’s hands-on work, education, or movement-based strategies. You'll leave with a better understanding of your body and a few customized things to start working on at home before your next visit. This approach ensures that from day one, your care is purposeful, empowering, and tailored specifically to you.
An internal assessment refers to a gentle, gloved examination of the pelvic floor muscles through the vaginal or rectal canal. This is one of the most effective ways for a pelvic floor physical therapist to assess the strength, tone, coordination, and overall function of the pelvic floor muscles. It allows us to better understand what might be contributing to your symptoms—such as pain, incontinence, pelvic pressure, or core weakness.
That said, internal assessment is always optional and only performed with your informed consent. We’ll talk through everything ahead of time so you feel comfortable, empowered, and in control. If you choose not to have an internal exam, there are still plenty of external techniques and assessments we can use to guide effective treatment. Your care plan is always customized to your comfort level and personal goals.
For your pelvic floor physical therapy session, it's best to wear comfortable clothing that allows easy movement. You'll want to wear something that provides easy access to your pelvic area, such as:
Loose-fitting clothing like yoga pants, athletic shorts, or leggings
A comfortable top (you may be asked to change into a gown for part of the session, but you can keep your top on if preferred)
A sports bra or tank top if you’d like to move freely during certain exercises or stretches
We recommend avoiding tight or restrictive clothing that could make it difficult to perform the assessment or treatment. The more relaxed you are, the more effective your session will be!
At Poised Pelvic Society, we are considered an out-of-network provider—and here’s why that actually benefits YOU.
Insurance companies continue to cut reimbursement rates for therapy services each year. As a result, in-network providers are often forced to see more patients in less time, making it harder to deliver the quality care you deserve. This creates a cycle of pressure, burnout, and ultimately, lower quality of care. The result? Shorter sessions, rushed treatments, and the risk of not addressing your needs fully.
By choosing to be out-of-network, we have the freedom to offer one-on-one, personalized care without the constraints of insurance demands. This allows us to spend the necessary time with each patient, which means quicker symptom relief and more effective, customized treatments. Plus, you can still submit a superbill to your insurance company and get reimbursed for a percentage of your sessions—this allows you to maximize your benefits while receiving the high-quality care you deserve.
Our focus is on you, not insurance codes or time limits. The outcome is better care, faster results, and a more satisfying experience.
At Poised Pelvic Society, pelvic floor physical therapy is our sole focus—this is not an add-on to a large outpatient clinic or a side service. We are completely dedicated to pelvic floor health, meaning every aspect of our practice is specialized, intentional, and centered around your unique needs.
Here’s why Poised Pelvic Society is the right choice for you:
Personalized, One-on-One Care: We offer 60-90 minute sessions tailored to your specific symptoms, goals, and concerns. You won’t be rushed or double-booked. Our undivided attention ensures you get the care and expertise you deserve.
Expertise in Pelvic Floor Health: As a practice dedicated solely to pelvic floor physical therapy, you’ll work with a specialist who has over a decade of experience and advanced certifications. Whether you’re dealing with incontinence, pelvic pain, postpartum recovery, or post-surgical rehab, you’ll receive highly specialized care based on evidence-based practices.
Getting to the Root Cause: We believe in addressing the root cause of your symptoms—not just masking the issues. By taking a thorough, individualized approach, we investigate the underlying factors that may be contributing to your pelvic floor dysfunction. This allows us to treat not only the symptoms but also the contributing causes, leading to long-lasting relief and better outcomes.
Freedom from Insurance Constraints: By being an out-of-network provider, we’re not bound by insurance company policies that limit the quality or time of treatment. We take the time necessary to dive deep into your case and ensure you receive effective, one-on-one care. Plus, you have the option to submit superbills for reimbursement.
Holistic, Whole-Body Approach: We don’t just treat the pelvic floor—we look at the entire body. From posture and movement patterns to the pelvic floor, hips, and spine, we treat you as a whole person. Our comprehensive approach supports your body’s natural function, leading to more effective, lasting results.
A Compassionate, Patient-Centered Environment: At Poised Pelvic Society, we understand how sensitive pelvic health issues can be. Our environment is designed to make you feel comfortable, safe, and empowered to ask questions, explore your symptoms, and focus on healing.
When you choose Poised Pelvic Society, you’re choosing a practice that’s entirely dedicated to pelvic floor health, where your care is personalized, focused, and designed to address the root cause of your symptoms for the best possible outcomes.
In traditional in-network physical therapy clinics, patients are often scheduled for 2-3 visits per week. This frequent schedule is usually necessary because these clinics tend to have shorter appointment times with many patients. This not only means you're not receiving the personalized, one-on-one attention that’s essential for true recovery, but it also leads to more money and time spent without seeing real progress.
At Poised Pelvic Society, our approach is different. Because we are able to provide high-quality, one-on-one care, most patients start with one visit per week. From there, depending on your progress, your visits may taper off to 2-3 times per month. We’ve found that this approach leads to better, more lasting results because you’re receiving the full attention of a specialist during every session, and the treatments are tailored specifically to your body and symptoms.
This allows you to spend less time in treatment and get better, faster results—ultimately saving you money and helping you return to your normal activities more quickly.
In traditional in-network physical therapy clinics, patients are often scheduled for 2-3 visits per week. This frequent schedule is usually necessary because these clinics tend to have shorter appointment times with many patients. This not only means you're not receiving the personalized, one-on-one attention We totally understand that life with little ones can make finding childcare challenging, and we want you to feel supported. At Poised Pelvic Society, we are more than happy to welcome mamas and babies to your appointment. We understand that your baby’s needs are a priority, and we’re here to help you through your session while also assisting with your baby when needed.
We know it can be tricky to fully focus on your own care when you're also caring for your child, so we do our best to create a welcoming and flexible environment. Our therapist will work with you and your baby to ensure you’re still able to get the most out of your session while feeling comfortable and supported. Whether it's helping with feeding, soothing, or managing your baby during the session, we're here to assist both you and your little one.
Feel free to bring your baby if that’s what works best for you—we want you to feel at ease during your visit. If there are any specific concerns or requests you have, just let us know, and we'll do our best to accommodate you.
Not at all! There’s no need to cancel your appointment if you're on your period—you are absolutely welcome to come.
Menstruation is a normal and natural part of the body, and as pelvic floor specialists, we are completely comfortable treating you during your cycle. In fact, for some people, pelvic floor symptoms can even be more noticeable during this time, so it can be a valuable opportunity to assess and treat what you’re experiencing in real time.
If you’re feeling crampy, fatigued, or just not up for an internal assessment, that’s perfectly okay. We can still provide effective external treatment, gentle techniques, and work on other areas like breathwork, posture, core coordination, or education. Your comfort is our top priority, and we will always meet you where you are.
Just let us know how you’re feeling, and we’ll tailor the session to best support you that day!
